title: Comparative study of dexamethasone and ondansetron for prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare intravenous dexamethasone and ondansetron for the prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), a main complaint that affects almost 40%-75% of patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, 93 women were divided into 3 groups receiving 4mg of dexamethasone, 8mg of dexamethasone, or 4mg of ondansetron. PONV score was used for assessment during the first 24hours after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of PONV during the 24-hour postoperative period was highest in the ondansetron group (61%). In the first 3hours, the incidence of PONV in the ondansetron group was also higher: 51.6% as compared with 22.6% and 36.6% in the dexamethasone 4mg and 8mg groups, respectively. The overall incidence of PONV was highest in the first 3hours as compared with later time periods, and there was a linear trend in decreasing PONV among the groups (P=0.017). In the dexamethasone 4mg group, the request for a rescue antiemetic was significantly lower: 0% as compared with 6.7% and 16.1% in the dexamethasone 8mg and ondansetron 4mg groups, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexamethasone was found to be an efficacious and cost-effective drug for the prophylaxis of PONV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Nita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: D'souza
authors.forename: Mohan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swami
authors.forename: Shama
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhagwat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D017294:Ondansetron; D003907:Dexamethasone